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Friday, January 27, 2017

Man wears swastika on University of Florida campus, gets 'jumped'

A man wearing a swastika armband was reportedly attacked near the campus of University of Florida after his presence drew a crowd of more than 200 protesters.

According to theIndependent Florida Alligator, the man has been identified as Michael Dewitz. A spokesman for the Gainsville Police Department told the paper that Dewitz was "jumped" shortly after 2 p.m. on Thursday by two men unaffiliated with the university.

The assailants, who were also white, stole Dewitz's jacket and armband after attacking him, officials say. Dewitz suffered minor injuries.

Dewitz was first spotted riding a bike at Turlington Plaza on Wednesday afternoon, following an event organized by the Jewish Student Union. On Thursday, Dewitz stood on a bench in Turlington Plaza, drawing a crowd of more than 200 protesters, who shouted chants like, "No more Nazis!"